Ready or not - April is here

It's that time of year when the critters around here turn to romance.  There is a an abundance of wildlife that passes through our yard daily, including turkeys.  There are 4 big tom turkeys in this group, and holy cow, can they strut their stuff.  This one was really trying to impress the ladies.  I'm always amazed at how they can puff up to almost twice their original size. 

I've been working on some goals for April, both sewing and non-sewing . . . 

• Keep up or catch up with some on-going projects
• Move more - renew a walking habit
• declutter at least 1 closet
• declutter my home office
• Saturday Sampler
• RSC blocks in PINK
• Sewcialites3 blocks (weekly) - I've fallen behind

• Finish some UFOs and WIPs
• Bind the Jackrabbit Stars quilt
• Bind at least 1 Quilt of Valor
• add outer borders to Shadow Stars QOV (above photo)
• finish assembly of Farm Girl Vintage and choose backing
• take 2 quilts to long arm quilter
• quilt and bind at least 1 doll quilt
• quilt and bind at least 1 placemat
• finish zipper bag (from Lori Holt panel)
• finish Sashiko piece from workshop
  
  

• Start something new!!!!
• Snowdrift quilt (on the UFO list) - fabric gathered with pattern  
• summer mini banner
• Year of Spools mini for May

A QOV flimsy

I had 2 main goals for this week, and the first one is already checked off - this Quilt of Valor flimsy.  Both side borders were sewn onto it early on Sunday afternoon, and the strips for the top and bottom were ready.  I actually wrote my Monday post on Sunday about supper time, which way ahead of time.   

But then my husband decided to go to a movie that I didn't care to see - leaving me with a whole evening to myself.  I don't often go back to the sewing room in the evenings, but I knew that in less than an hour I could have this top all finished.  I probably should have updated that Monday post, but I didn't remember to do that.  Oops!! 

And I was right - in less than an hour I had it all assembled.  Check this off my list.  The pattern was for a QOV sew-along hosted by Alycia at Quilty Girl.  

This is the second pattern of hers that I've made recently.  Last fall I joined in on the sew-along she hosted over the summer. She does beautiful QOV designs. 

* * * * * * * 

On a side note - I've been tracking fabric (in and out) this year with a goal of using up more of what is already in the stash.  However, in January and February I purchased backing fabric for several projects so the total for that IN column was really scary.  But now I've gradually been able to check off some finishes so I'm feeling better about the numbers. 

Fabric IN = 102.75 yds  - YIKES!!!

Fabric OUT = 68.75 yds

34 yards on the plus side yet, but getting better!!  The only QOV yardage I'm going to count  as "out" will be when it comes directly from my stash, like these 2 quilts.

Design Wall Monday - March 30

A new week, and then a new month . . . time to think about goals for April.  Or at least goals for the first week of April. 

I need to clear up some work space before starting anything new, and I really really want to start something new.  So that means finishing up a couple of WIPs first.  If only I had stayed focused over the weekend . . . 

The side borders are on the Quilt of Valor, and next will come the top and bottom borders with the corner blocks. 

The Farm Girl Vintage blocks were sewn into rows 2 weeks ago.  But only two rows are actually sewn together so far.  I keep moving them from one spot to another in my sewing room to get them out of the way.  Hmmm . . . if the top was done then I could hang it in the closet, out of the way.   

The new color for RSC is pink.  My pink scrap bin is not nearly as full as some colors, and I've already sorted out some strings and will probably begin the RSC sewing with more string blocks for the String Stars project. 

IF I manage to finish those first 2 short tasks this week, then I will allow myself to begin cutting the pieces for the next UFO project.   

I'm linking up today with:

https://smallquiltsanddollquilts.blogspot.com/ 

https://songbirddesigns.blog

RSC26 - Week #13

 The final Saturday in March already?  This month has flown by - as usual.

Only 1 Gameboard block was added to that collection.  I'll admit that I've kind of forgotten about these.  But that's OK, because eventually there will be enough.  It's not like I have a deadline for this particular block set.

The Vintage Spools blocks (6" finished) are fun.  I got 9 more of them made this month - 4 of the tilted spools and 5 of the straight ones.  

Three of the Reversed Buckeye blocks got added to the mix.  These will finish at 8".  

This is what has been happening with the string blocks so far.  The purple and aqua blocks were actually from 2025, left over from another project.  Now in 2026 I'll be adding new colors. I have to fill in previous colors where needed but you can see where I'm going with this project.  That one really dark green block will be switched out for one with a better mix of green as it doesn't fit in very well.  Also I may move that light blue into a different position - depending on what is the next RSC color. 

It's fun to look back at the end of a month to see what was made with that month's color. Cats and Honey Bees, Hollow-9s and Snail Trail, Scrappy Stars and Strings, and Give It a Whirl - all of those fun RSC blocks I've chosen to play with this year.  There was a lot of Quilt of Valor sewing this month, so lots of red appeared there too - including stars and 4-patch blocks.

Can't wait to see what color is next.

Let's go check out more Rainbow fun . . .

https://superscrappy.blogspot.com/

It's Friday already!

It has been a busy week, but a good one.  I was so busy in fact that I totally forgot about writing a blog post for yesterday.  And the world didn't end did it?   

Lunch with girlfriends on Tuesday was a nice way to celebrate my 72nd birthday.  Wednesday was our 49th wedding anniversary, and also the monthly lunch with the retired staff group from the school. Thursday I had my annual mammogram at 7:30 am.  Something new this year - same day results.  I got a call about 3 hours later to say everything looked normal.  Yay!!

I picked up the Jackrabbit Stars quilt from the long armer on Wednesday afternoon.  The quilt is trimmed and ready to attach the binding - possibly today.  

The border strips are all cut and the corner blocks are made to finish the QOV that I've been working on.  Two opposite corners get the blue stars, and the other 2 corners get the 9-patch units.  The borders will each have the 3 colors - red white blue.

I finished the little Easter mini quilt, and it's now displayed next to the fireplace in the family room.  This is a cute one for sure.  It's a kit from Shabby Fabrics, and part of a series called A Year of Spools.  I'm keeping up with these each month.  There are 2 remaining - for the months of May and June.

Midweek check in

A bit of sewing and a bit of organizing . . .

The Easter mini Spool quilt is nearly done.  I just need to hand stitch that binding down, and it will be ready to use.

Because the Lupines and Laughter (BH mystery) quilt is totally done and has been gifted, it was time to clear out that project box so the next UFO could go into it.  There were these little bits and pieces left over.  One extra block - plus parts for more, and some odds and ends.  The block itself is 6.5" so would make a good mug rug.  I might use these parts to make something small.  We'll see.

And the next UFO is now in residence in that project box.  Snowdrift was a fat quarter pack and pattern that was part of a past Sew Sampler box from Fat Quarter Shop.  I subscribed to those monthly boxes for a couple of years but didn't always get the projects done.  This one is on my UFO list for this year.  The background fabric had even been pulled from the stash and tucked in with the rest.  So, the only thing that I'll still need to find is a border fabric but that can wait until the center is done. I'm making this project a priority for April.

So . . . there is 1 UFO in the hands of a quilter.

There is 1 UFO paired with backing ready to take to a quilter.

And now I have the next one ready to cut out.  Feels good to be going down that UFO list, and making progress on each item.  

Quilt of Valor progress

The rows for this Quilt of Valor went together so easily yesterday.  I had pressed each row toward the 4-patch blocks so the seams nested perfectly.

This is the center of the quilt.  I'm guessing Alycia will be posting the instructions for the borders this week.  It's awesome so far.

Another task was to cut binding strips for the quilt that should be coming home soon from the long arm quilter - Jackrabbit Stars.  I'm excited to see it quilted. 

Today I'm meeting a couple of girl friends for lunch.  There may or may not be any time for sewing today.  

Design Wall Monday - March 23

Saturday was National Quilting Day, and I spent the morning doing just that - sewing.  And it all carried over to Sunday.  

All of the blocks for a new Quilt of Valor are ready to be layed out today and pinned into rows.  There are 12 blue/white 4-patch blocks, and 12 red ones.  Sets of 6 star blocks will go with them - half with white stars and half with colored stars.  This is going to be a very pretty QOV.

The parts are all cut and stacked for 9 Vintage Spool blocks for RSC.  Some will be the smaller tilted spools and some are the bigger straight spools.  These blocks will make good leaders/enders this week. 

And the April mini is cut and ready to sew.  This kit offered 2 versions - a girl bunny and a boy bunny.  I'm going with the girl bunny because I love the bow in her ears.  This one had a LOT of 1" pieces to cut.  But now that it's all ready, the sewing should go quickly.

The 6 rows of Farm Girl Vintage blocks are still waiting to become a finished top.  Maybe that will happen this week too, although it's a busy week: our 49th wedding anniversary, my 72nd birthday, annual mammogram, and lunch with the school retired group.  Makes me tired just thinking about it all.  LOL 

I'm linking up today with:

https://smallquiltsanddollquilts.blogspot.com/ 

https://songbirddesigns.blog

RSC26 - Week 12

Red is one of favorite colors, so it was definitely fun sewing this week again.

The "catnip" block with red kitties was a priority this week.  Every time I look at these blocks I just have to smile. So cute and whimsical. 

Give It a Whirl blocks are adding up.  With the addition of these 2 red ones there are 36.  Because they are only 8" finished, I'll need a few more yet to make a decent size quilt.

Hollow-9 blocks are adding up too.  I was digging deep in the 2.5" square bin to find red.  Last year I used up a ton of red squares in the strawberry blocks.

There was plenty of red sewing NOT part of RSC was for another Quilt of Valor.  The stars and the 4-patch blocks are 8" finished.  There are still 4 star blocks and the remaining 4-patch blocks in both red/white and blue/white on the design board waiting to be sewn.  I can't wait to lay this one out.   

 

A RSC quilt from a previous year is now checked off the UFO list.  This is Triple Triangles, made with string triangle blocks.  

Let's go check out more Rainbow fun . . .

https://superscrappy.blogspot.com/

Finished (or not) Friday

The binding on this finish was done a few days ago, but I saved it for a sunny day in order to get a decent photo.  Thursday was photo day.

Mother Nature has been a bit psycho this week - snow early in the week with negative temps for low.  Now it's sunny and will be near 80 today.  Will it really be nearly 90 tomorrow?  

Triple Triangle was a fun Rainbow Scrap Challenge project.  The blocks are triangles made with strings, framed in a variety of black and white prints. That blue sashing came from the stash, and so did the black and white outer border.   But I couldn't resist buying this colorful backing for it when I saw it.   

This isn't a huge quilt - 54 x 65.  But it's a good size for a kid to snuggle into.  And it's another UFO to check off that list. 

As for things NOT finished - or even started yet . . . this little kit showed up in the mail this week.  It's the April mini quilt in that Year of Spools series.  This might just be the cutest one of the bunch so far.  I'm hoping to work on it over the weekend.

With so many projects always going on at once around here, I should NOT admit that I added 3 new patterns to the mix this week.  One of them was a free download, one was a not-free download, and the last one will come in the mail in a couple of day.  What fun would it be if there were not any FUTURE PROJECTS waiting in the wings?

Check out more Finishes (or Not) today . . .

https://alyciaquilts.blogspot.com/  

Just 1 little finish

 

Just 1 small finish to report so far this week . . . a little doll quilt for donation with it's critter.  That makes only 2 so far for 2026, although there are tops made for 4 more.  And there is a bag in the closet with a few more little stuffed animals to go with them.

Featured quilter

One of the local quilts shops (The Pin Cushion) is featuring the work of a different quilter each month this year.  I'm really honored to be the March featured quilter.  That meant going through my quilts to find a mix of large and small items to share. For the whole month the classroom is hung with my projects.

The big wall in the classroom has the large quilt with appliqued houses and pine trees, all done in blues and greens.  And the small projects on the left are a patriotic Lone Star wall hanging and a paper pieced round table topper.  On the right side is a Hawaiian applique table topper, a Stay At Home Round Robin projects from about 2023 (?), and an Easter table runner that is applique on an ombre fabric.

The table in the classroom is draped with my very first quilt, made in Home Ec class when I was in high school decades ago.  

The only reason I know the year is because I embroidered my name and date on the back of this crazy quilt.

Another wall holds the Sammy's Secret Garden quilt that was a Rainbow Scrap Challenge project a few years ago.  The cats and other blocks are all from Lori Holt's Farm Girl Vintage books 1 and 2.  The Christmas table runner to the right is also a Lori Holt pattern.

The Halloween quilt is a One Block Wonder, using a panel.  Well actually it used 7 panels, one kept whole and 6 to make the hexies.  Hanging from the corner of the door is a bag I made from a charm pack.

The paper pieced quilt was the project from the Alaskan cruise with girl friends a few years ago.  And hanging above that doorway is a wall hanging with appliqued Dresden blades and randomly cut leaves and stems.

Hand quilted and appliqued Santa and reindeer are the basis of this wall hanging that I made about 25 years ago. For many years it hung above our piano at Christmas.  The piano is gone but the wall hanging still comes out. 

And finally, above the French doors from the classroom into the shop - this watermelon table runner.  It's also hand quilted.  Again, this is something I made almost 30 years ago but still get it out in late summer.  It was a pattern in a magazine.  

This and that

Monday morning was a good one for sewing, with progress again on multiple projects.    

Because I was out of binding to do in the evenings, I pulled out one of the doll quilts that I made earlier this winter, and got binding put on it. Since it's only 25" square it probably will only take 1 evening to hand stitch.  

The block for Saturday Sampler for March is done. This block is 15" finished. Anthologie is the pattern we're using this year, and it is a sampler type of project with a mix of traditional blocks plus applique. Some blocks require multiples, but there will be only 1 of Le Fleur.

The 12" Farm Girl Vintage blocks have been sewn into rows.  There are 6 rows of 5 blocks, so it will be 60 x 72, unless I add some borders to make it bigger.  That decision can wait until I see how it looks without borders.

Four of the 12 blocks with white stars are all done.  These will go quickly in between other things because the parts are all cut and layed out on a design board.  They're only 8" blocks so they make good Leaders/Enders.  

At Sew Vintage on Saturday afternoon I found myself reminded of a scrappy RWB project that has been going on in my sewing room for a number of years now. 

For several years as I've worked on blocks for Quilts of Valor, there have been corner triangles trimmed off.  I can't just throw them away, so they become 2.5" HSTs that get trimmed and dropped into a big bag on a shelf. A big variety of reds and blues are sewn to a bigger variety of light neutrals. 

This is the ongoing project that has been tucked into that bag with the HSTs.  Every so often I add another row to it.  There is no plan in my brain yet for how large I want to make this.  But it has been fun to watch it slowly grow. I'll probably add a couple more vertical rows to it this week since red is the RSC color.  

Design Wall Monday - March 16

This week my To Do list will include making the 1 block needed for this month's Saturday Sampler task.

Choosing the colors for this block was probably the hardest part.  This will be a 15" block, and has pretty easy components.

Yesterday I cut all of the pieces needed to make the 12 star blocks for the 3rd week's prompts for the Quilt of Valor I'm working on with Alycia.  I'm using just 1 background fabric (white), and just 1 blue.  But the reds are scrappy as I try to use up some leftovers from other Quilts of Valor projects.  I've already made the 12 blocks with white backgrounds and blue or red stars.  These will all have white stars. 

Working my way through some UFOs can be satisfying - IF I manage to move them to the finish line, or at least a quilt top.

Next UFO in line is the set of 12" blocks I made years ago in our Sew Vintage group using the Farm Girl Vintage 1 and 2 books by Lori Holt.  At the time I made both sizes of blocks - 6" and 12" - see above photo.  The small blocks became a finished quilt right away but the big blocks have mostly been laying in a project box ever since.  

A year of so later, I pulled out a barn block and 8 animal blocks to make a quilt.  This was the first project made using that Circle of Nine book that I used last week for a QOV. The spacers and borders on this layout are slightly different than my new QOV version.  On a side note - do you see the Honey Bee block in there?  I'm using that same block pattern for the RSC blocks I've been making in blue, green, and red so far.  

But . . . there were still over 40 blocks waiting to become something.  Now's the time!!  Setting aside several food-themed blocks from the pile, I layed out these 30 so far. More rearranging is needed before I begin to sew anything together.  And that still leaves all those food-themed blocks.  Hmmmm . . . that means one more quilt doesn't it?

In between working on all of this there will be plenty more RSC blocks in red.  

I'm linking up today with:

https://smallquiltsanddollquilts.blogspot.com/ 

https://songbirddesigns.blog